AIRPORT ADMINISTRATION​

Mr. Coughlin comes to Pensacola International Airport after a 29 year career in the United States Navy as an aviator and commanding officer. He was Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s base commanding officer from 2011 to 2014. Mr. Coughlin worked as the Assistant Director-Operations at Pensacola International Airport from 2014-2017 before working as the Assistant County Administrator for Escambia County. In 2019, Mr. Coughlin returned to the airport as the Deputy Airport Director and became Airport Director in June of 2020 after the retirement of the previous Director.

Byron Burkhart graduated from Broward College with an Associate of Science degree in Airport Operations Management. He continued his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics and a minor in Public Safety & Business. Before joining the team at Pensacola International Airport in 2018, Mr. Burkhart worked over 12 years with Broward County Aviation Department as Airport Operations Supervisor and SMS Administrator and 4 years as Sr. Manager Airside and Safety at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. As Assistant Airport Director – Operations at PNS, Mr. Burkhart oversees several departments including security, maintenance, airfield, airline operations, among others.

Ms. Levitt, a United States Navy Veteran, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 2006, a Master of Business Administration degree in 2014, is an Accredited Airport Executive Member of the American Association of Airport Executives, and a Certified Government Finance Officer of the Government Finance Officers Association.  Ms. Levitt has been with the Airport since April 2011, serving in a variety of positions.

Ken Ibold has a 25-year history in airport planning and aviation consulting. Ken comes to Pensacola International Airport after a 12-year stint at the national aviation consulting firm RS&H, Inc., where he was the Aviation Planning Service Group Leader for the Southeast Region. He holds a Master’s Degree in Transportation and Urban Systems from North Dakota State University and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin. He is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Mr. Laven joined the Pensacola International Airport staff in 1996. As Airport Administration and Contracts manager, Michael works to assist in the day-to-day functions of the airport. He works extensively with our tenants and coordinates our bidding, proposals, and contracts. Mr. Laven has a BA in Accounting from the University of Florida, and a Masters in Accounting from the University of West Florida. He is a Certified Public Accountant and an active member of the American Association Airport Executives, The Florida Government Finance Officers Association, and Panhandle Chapter FGFOA.

Lewis Garvin joins the team at Pensacola International Airport with over 18 years of experience in Marketing and Public Relations for non-profits, healthcare, and corporate settings, being well versed in strategic marketing, crisis communication and public information. Mr. Garvin graduated from Pensacola State College with an AA in Music and from the University of West Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. Mr. Garvin is an avid woodworker and also enjoys playing music; you may even find him in the pit orchestra at local musical performance. In addition to be a musician, Mr. Garvin is on the Board of Directors and the Publicity Chair for the Pensacola Civic Band.

Ms. Deaton joined the Pensacola International Airport team in the summer of 2019. She comes to the Pensacola area from Orlando Sanford International Airport and Fresno Yosemite International in California. Ms. Deaton earned her MBA at the University of Fresno, California and has recently achieved her Certified Member (CM) accreditation from American Association of Airport Executives (AAEA).